FOOTBALL fever has taken hold at a Chelmsford vehicle dealer.

Dagenham Motors is asking the public to donate old or unwanted football boots to the Boots for Africa charity.

The Ford dealership is an official collection point for the charity, which was set up by Sheffield FC after its chairman saw children in the poverty-ridden townships of Africa playing football in their bare feet.

Steven Patient, site manager at Dagenham Motors, said: “Boots for Africa is such a simple idea and a very worthwhile cause. It will give poor children in Africa so much enjoyment from owning their first ever pair of football boots. We’re really behind the campaign.”

In addition to pairs of football boots, Dagenham Motors is also appealing for unwanted football shirts and trainers, as well as single football boots, which are particularly in demand by children in Sudan who have lost a foot or leg from a landmine.

Boots can be dropped off during opening hours at the showroom in Cuton Hall Lane, Springfield, until the World Cup final on July 11.

For more information about the appeal itself, visit www.bootsforafrica.org